2012 gmc acadia Reviews and News

2012 GMC Acadia

By
Automobile Magazine
- 11/11/2011

The Acadia is ready for another year of grocery-getting and family-hauling duty, and as always, there is plenty of room for the kids to bring some of their friends along. With a 60/40-split second row, the Acadia can hold up to eight passengers. The capacity drops to seven when you select captain's chairs for the second row in lieu of a bench. Up front, the 3.6-liter V-6 engine produces 288 hp and does a fine job carting around the Acadia's roughly 4000 pounds. It can also tow up to 5200 pounds when properly equipped. Depending on the buyer's preference and the trim level selected, the Acadia sits on eighteen-, nineteen, or twenty-inch wheels. The Denali model gets the biggest wheels along with a panoramic sunroof, a chunkier lower-body aero kit, a head-up display, and heated and cooled seats for the driver and front passenger. Overall, the Acadia has proven itself to be a solid choice in its segment. It compares well with such standout competitors as the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot both mechanically and functionally. The Acadia rides well and is reasonably economical, which also goes for its corporate siblings, the Buick Enclave and the Chevrolet Traverse.

With the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently upgrading its crash testing and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration thinking of doing the same, crash test results are on people's minds. With more than 60 crossovers already on sale – and at least another half dozen coming in the next twelve months – the not-an-SUV, not-a-car, not-a-wagon segment is being closely watched by customers and manufacturers alike.

The 2013 GMC Acadia and 2013 Chevy Traverse are nearly identical save for a few visual differences and equipment choices—so why might one go for the pricier Acadia? With the two GM crossovers set to arrive in showrooms soon, some shoppers will likely make their decision based on style. Some may hunt for differences in the spec sheet, which is what we’ve done for you below.

As the adage goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And since sales of the GMC Acadia climbed to a new high in 2011, it's not surprising the revised 2013 GMC Acadia -- which debuted this morning at the Chicago Auto Show -- doesn't attempt to reinvent what seems to be a successful formula.

Sound & Entertainment

Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:20

Component

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Summary

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequences

IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

Potential Units Affected

47,846

Notes

GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequences

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Potential Units Affected

1,176,407

Notes

General Motors LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SEAT BELTS

Summary

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequences

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Potential Units Affected

1,339,355

Notes

General Motors LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to February 29, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequences

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.